Growli
Let's go

Plant care

guelder rose (European cranberrybush) care

Viburnum opulus

Also called guelder rose, European cranberrybush, cramp bark.

RHS H7USDA 3-8Mildly toxic to petsIndoor 3–5 m tall and 3–4 m wide

Watering rhythm

1-2weeks

Weekly when young; every 1–2 weeks once established

Jump to schedule→Get smart reminders in the app

Light

Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)

Soil

Moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist to moist-wet soil; tolerates chalk, clay, loam, and sand

Humidity

50–80%

Temp

-40°C to 35°C

Pet safety

Mildly toxic to pets

Mature size

3–5 m tall and 3–4 m wide

Care at a glance

Light

guelder rose is what florists mean by "bright spot, no direct sun" — close enough to a south or east window to feel the brightness, with a sheer curtain or a few feet of distance keeping the sun off the leaves. Grows well in full sun to part shade. Tolerates woodland edge conditions with dappled light. In full sun, soil must be kept consistently moist to prevent stress. Part shade suits it particularly well in drier gardens, reducing moisture demand while maintaining good flowering and fruiting. A phone lux-meter at the leaf surface should read 1,500-3,000 lux at noon.

Watering

Water guelder rose weekly when young; every 1–2 weeks once established. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Naturally found in moist to wet soils — ditches, woodland margins, and riverbanks. Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells in summer. Established plants in moist soils are largely self-sufficient. Mulch annually to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Soil and pot

guelder rose grows best in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist to moist-wet soil; tolerates chalk, clay, loam, and sand. Highly adaptable. Naturally colonises chalk grassland margins, clayey woodland glades, and damp hedgerows. Unlike many shrubs, it tolerates temporarily waterlogged conditions. Amend very free-draining soils with generous organic matter to meet its moisture preference. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

guelder rose sits happiest at around 50–80% humidity and -40°C to 35°C (-40°F to 95°F). Tolerates a wide range of humidity. As a native of temperate Europe, it is at home in the cool, moist British climate. No special humidity management needed; good airflow through the canopy reduces risk of powdery mildew, which can affect this species in hot dry summers. If you keep the room above year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed guelder rose sparingly. Generally undemanding in fertile garden soils. Apply a general-purpose balanced fertiliser or well-rotted garden compost in early spring. Over-feeding produces lush leafy growth at the expense of flowers and berries; avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on guelder rose in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni) — Larvae skeletonise leaves from inside the rolled leaf in spring; adults feed on foliage in summer. Viburnum opulus is highly susceptible. Check leaf undersides for egg cases in autumn and crush them; remove infested stem tips in spring before larvae hatch.
  • Powdery mildew — White powdery coating on leaves in hot, dry summers, especially on plants in exposed sun with dry roots. Improve soil moisture retention with mulch, ensure adequate watering, and improve air circulation by occasional thinning of congested stems.
  • Excessive suckering — Produces root suckers that can spread the plant well beyond its intended footprint. Remove suckers promptly by pulling them away cleanly from the root rather than cutting, which stimulates more growth. In confined spaces, root barriers can help.

Propagation

Take softwood cuttings in late spring or semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer; insert in gritty compost under cover. Alternatively, layer a low-growing branch in spring and sever once rooted (6–12 months). Hardwood cuttings taken in late autumn can be rooted in a cold frame over winter. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

guelder rose is mildly toxic to pets. Viburnum opulus is not listed as toxic on the ASPCA's toxic-plant list for dogs or cats; however, the raw berries contain viburnin, a mildly toxic compound that causes nausea and vomiting in humans if eaten unripe or in quantity. Cooked berries are traditionally used in jams. Treat with caution around children and pets. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

guelder rose care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Viburnum opulus?

Viburnum opulus is most commonly called guelder rose, but it is also known as guelder rose, European cranberrybush, cramp bark. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for guelder rose apply identically to anything sold as European cranberrybush.

How much light does guelder rose need?

guelder rose grows best in bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window). Grows well in full sun to part shade. Tolerates woodland edge conditions with dappled light. In full sun, soil must be kept consistently moist to prevent stress. Part shade suits it particularly well in drier gardens, reducing moisture demand while maintaining good flowering and fruiting.

How often should I water guelder rose?

Water guelder rose weekly when young; every 1–2 weeks once established. Naturally found in moist to wet soils — ditches, woodland margins, and riverbanks. Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells in summer. Established plants in moist soils are largely self-sufficient. Mulch annually to retain moisture and suppress weeds. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is guelder rose toxic to cats and dogs?

guelder rose is mildly toxic to pets. Viburnum opulus is not listed as toxic on the ASPCA's toxic-plant list for dogs or cats; however, the raw berries contain viburnin, a mildly toxic compound that causes nausea and vomiting in humans if eaten unripe or in quantity. Cooked berries are traditionally used in jams. Treat with caution around children and pets.

What USDA hardiness zone does guelder rose grow in?

guelder rose is rated for USDA zone 3-8 and RHS hardiness H7. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

guelder rose deep-dive guides

Every aspect of guelder rose care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

guelder rose qualifies for 4 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

guelder rose is also known as guelder rose, European cranberrybush, and cramp bark.